New Hampshire recognizes 1st officer to die in line of duty

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A deputy sheriff killed 130 years ago has been recognized as the state's first officer to die in the line of duty.

Cheshire County Deputy Sheriff John Walker Sr. died on April 22, 1886, after being attacked and injured while investigating a domestic incident on March 16, 1886.

Walker responded to a call involving a woman who had filed for divorce from her husband and asked police to help move out some personal belongings. The woman's husband attacked Walker with an ax after a box of disputed items was taken.

Walker suffered injuries to his head and an arm and died from blood poisoning and typhoid fever, which authorities tied to the ax attack. He will be honored Friday at the New Hampshire Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony.

A relative said Walker's efforts "paid off."

"Just think what he would think all these years later," said Marcia Huntley Maloney, a distant cousin who grew up in New Hampshire and now lives in Laguna Woods, California.